43

Hephaistus: Here are chains wrought for his hands, in view.
Power: Now sledge with all your strength and fix them on
his wrists. Smite him to the steeps!

Hephaistus: The work nears the end without blow in vain.
Power: Still faster hammer, throttle, nothing slacken. He
“can dodge the best-laid traps.

Hephaistus: His elbow now has joints unrelaxing.

¢ | Power: Buckle the other down tight, that our savant, being

witty, may learn he is duller than Zeus.
Hephaistus: No one but he could justly blame me.

£u-S Power: Now muster your might, and straight through his

{

e

chest jut the straining jaw of the wedge.

Hephaistus: Prometheus, 1 groan for your pangs.

Power: Do you still shrink and weep upon Zeus’ foe? You
may grieve for yourself someday.

Hephaistus: You behold an unsightly spectacle.

Power: [ sce him gaining his deserts. So enlace his ribs
around with this girdle.

Hephaistus: What I must, I will do, with no orders from you.
Power: I'll command! Il hound you to the end. Stoop down
and loop his legs in iron!

Hephaistus: The toiling is done with no long lapse.
Power: Strike fast, and set the piercing fetter. Ourlabor’s
overseer is exacting.

Hephaistus: Your tonge is as coarse as your countenanc:.
Power: Be elegant if you will, but cast no reproaches at my
righteous anger.

Hephaistus: Let us go. The bonds are about him.

Power: There, now! Tackle away boldly, pilfer again the
treasure of gods and fit up more tricks to amuse mortals!

Can those wisps-of-a-day ever lessen one day of your ageless

 

e R IR